What carries blood from the heart to the brain?

Answer 1

Oxygenated (O2) blood leaves the heart from the left ventricle entering the ascending aorta where the right and left coronary arteries branch off. The ascending aorta then becomes the Aortic Arch which has three branches: Brachiocephalic trunk, Left Common Carotid, and Left Subclavian. The Brachiocephalic trunk bifurcates into Right Common Carotid and Right Subclavian. The Right and Left Common Carotid bifurcate at C4 (Thyroid Cartilage level) forming the Internal Carotid and External Carotid. The Vertebral Arteries branch of the Right and Left Subclavian, running up the transverse foramina from C6 up to C1 where the Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery branches off, as well as the Anterior Spinal Artery. The Vertebral Artery merges to form the Basilar Artery where the Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery branches off, as well as the Pontine Arteries and the Superior Cerebellar Artery branches off inferior to the formation of the Right and Left Posterior Cerebral Artery (PCA). The PCA is the beginning of the Circle of Willis where the Posterior Communicating Arteries branch of the PCA connecting to the Internal Carotid Arteries with the Opthalmic Arteries branching off superiorly. The Internal Carotid Arteries become the Middle Cerebral Arteries (MCA) with the Anterior Choroidal Artery branching off inferiorly to the Anterior Cerebral Arteries (ACA) with the Anterior Communicating Artery connecting the two ACA together supplying the brain with O2 blood.

The Internal Jugular Vein drains the brain uniting with the Subclavian Vein to form the Brachiocephalic Vein. The Right and Left Brachiocephalic Vein Unite to form the Superior Vena Cava (SVC) dumping the blood into the Right Atrium of the heart.

Answer 2

Left ventricle --> aorta --> brachiocephalic and left common carotid arteries --> right and left internal carotid artery --> circle of willis --> anterior, middle and posterior cerebral arteries.

This is the passageways of the majority of blood flow to the brain. There are also bilateral vertebral arteries, which are branches of the subclavian arteries which bring blood to the cerebellum, brainstem and posterior portions of the brain.

Answer 3

The carotid artery is the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the brain. It is identifiable in the anterolateral neck.